I often wondered if I’d take living by the ocean for granted.
Now I know that I don’t (and never could) take it for granted.
Who could?
I’m sure some people do.
But, seriously, who could ever take living by such a beautiful, peaceful place for granted?
Growing up, I thought I was so lucky only living several hours from the ocean.
When my now husband and I lived in New Jersey, I thought we were so lucky to live less than two hours from the ocean.
And when we lived in California, only a short 10 minute walk from the apartment, I thought it was one of the most wonderful things in the world.
I tried my hardest to walk down to the ocean every chance I had and it was worth it every single time. The idea that I lived near to the ocean, near a place I’ve always loved, never got old. Most days I simply couldn’t believe I lived so close. It made me so happy.
Living where we lived, I could always be with the ocean. When I wasn’t walking along its rocky shores, I could smell the salt laden air through an open window. And when all the windows were closed at night, I could still hear the ocean’s rhythmic pulsating, like a heartbeat, through the walls.
Then there came the day we had to move.
If it was up to me, there’s a part that would’ve chosen to stay.
But there’s that Dr, Seuss saying – “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
There’s a lot of truth in that saying.
So, the day came when we were moving…and we left…and I had to leave the ocean behind. I know I’ll see the ocean again, but there was just something different about this experience. And when we left, I could feel the ocean tugging at my soul.
Then there came the experience of traveling cross-country and all the things I wrote about in previous posts. What I didn’t mention is that this is all thanks to the military life. (And I say that a bit sarcastically.) I’m not a fan of the constant moving. It’s stressful and wears on a person. And this life…I didn’t choose this life, I chose my husband…and in choosing him, I suppose, I chose this life. Some days I can handle it. Some days I don’t handle it well, if at all. It’s like a double edge sword. Sure, we get to see and experience different things, but it’s not all rainbows and unicorns like our friends and family seem to think. (At least some of them.) There’s all the stress and anxiety and, honestly, sometimes, just pure bullshit (please excuse my language) that goes along with it all.
But most days I’m alright because I know I’m lucky in the things I get to see and experience. I know a lot of people would love to travel cross-country, for instance, but probably never will or will never have the opportunity, for whatever reasons. So, most days, I’m alright…because life’s too short to site around staring out the window, wishing to see the things we dream about at night. Even if I don’t have complete control over where I live or for how long or a lot of other things.
But what do any of us really have complete control over in this life?
Besides, I still control the things I can control. For instance, what I do with my time in whatever place we happen to be living.
And at the end of the day, I know I have a lot to be thankful for.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Prelude to Day 1, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 1, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 2, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 3, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 4, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 5, please click here to read.
If you missed Another Cross-Country Adventure: Day 6, please click here to read.
To see more photos, please visit my gallery by clicking here.
Nicole's Narratives 